‘Should I make a lateral move? It feels like a failure’

Today I’m analysing the situation of Christina. Christina reached out to me via TikTok wanting some advice on a job offer she isn’t sure about.

What’s the challenge?

Christina’s been at the same company for 6 years. She’s climbed the ladder from Coordinator to Manager and built a strong career. She’s used to progressing in a straight upward line.

But now, the company is struggling. Layoffs have started. Christina survived the first round, but things are feeling unstable. Understandably, she began quietly looking for something new.

Christina was approached by a recruiter about a role and managed to secure it. t’s not a huge step up, more of a sideways move. And it doesn’t feel like the dream role. So she’s unsure. Should she take it? Or hold out for something better?

How can she move forward?

Christina’s torn between the comfort of “at least I have a job” and the uncertainty of a lateral move that wasn’t in her original plan. And in this market, it’s hard to know if waiting will pay off - or backfire.

So what should she do?

My advice:

Be mindful of the “I didn’t apply for it” bias

There’s a funny psychology that kicks in when we don’t have to hustle for a job.

If it comes too easily, we start questioning it: “Do I really want this? Could I do better?”

Just because it found you — rather than the other way around — doesn’t mean it’s not a good opportunity. Don’t let that bias cloud your judgment.

Lateral moves aren’t career failures

So many people think every job has to be a promotion. Not true. At a certain stage in your career, not every move is “up.” Sometimes you make a lateral move to:

• Learn something new
  
  
• Shift industries
  
  
• Get out of a bad situation
  
  
• Survive a tough market
  
  

And that’s perfectly valid. You don’t need to wait for the perfect unicorn job if the current ship is sinking.

Use the “2 out of 3” rule

When you’re stuck between yes and no, use this framework I always come back to:

What will I learn?
Who will I meet?
Where could it take me?

If you can confidently answer yes to two out of those three — take the role.

Because even if it’s not “the one,” it can still move you forward. It can teach you something. It can introduce you to people. It can open a door.

And in this market? That’s often enough.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid of the lateral move. There are some great lateral moves out there. And they might just be right for you!